COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENCE IN OREGON.

Southland Times, Issue 1278, 12 July 1870, Page 3

COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENCE IN OREGON.

The following is from All {he Year Bound: — In the United States (and indeed also in Canada) there is no distinction between barrister and attorney, and in the newer settlements to become either requires little study. It used to be said that in some parts of Oregon allja man had to do to be admitted an attorney was to go round for some time with a law ;J book under his arm, and talk "constitootion" in front of "grocery doorV One of these attorneys delivered a, famous defence of a man who was caught in tie act of stealing a hank of cotton yarn. It ran something like this : " Gentlemen 6f the jury, do you think my client, Thomas Flinn, of Muddy Creek. an 4 the Big Williamette, would be guilty o' stealin' a hank o' cotting yarn ? Gentlemen of the jury, I reckon not, I s'pose not. By no manner of means, gentlemen, not at all ! He are not guilty t~ Tom Flinn! Good heavens ! Gentlemen, you all know Tom Flinn, and, on honor, now, gentlemen, do you think he'd- do it? No, gentlemen! I s'pose not— l reckon not. Thomas, Flinn ? Why " (warming up with virtuous indignation) "why, great snakes and alligators ! Tom's a whole-teatn-on Muddy Creek and a hoss to let ! And (insinuatingly) "do you think he'd sneak off with a miserable hank o' cotting yarn ? Well, gentlemen, I reckon not. I s'pose not ! When the wolves was anowling, gentlemen, on the mountings of Oregon, and the millishy was a fighting of the Injins on Rogue Biver, "do you think, gentlemen, my client, Thomas Flinn, Esq., could be guilty o' hookin' — yes, hookin , gentlemen — that pitiful, low,* mean, thank o' cotting yarn ? Onpossible ! Gentlemen, I reckon I know my client, Mr Thomas Flint. He's got the fastest nag and the purtiest sister, gentlemen, in all Muddy Creek and the Big Williamette ! That, gentlemen are a fact. Yes, gentlemen, that are a fact. You kin just bet on that, gentlemen. Yes, gentlemen, you can jist bet your bones on that ! Now, 'pon honor, gentlemen, do you think he are guilty ? Gentlemen, I reckon — Is'po6enot. Why, gentlemen (indignantly beginning tp believe it himself), my client, Mr Thomjas Flinn. am no more- guilt; of stealing that ear hank o' cottin' yarn 'than a toad has got a tail. Yes, a tail, gentlemen ! than a toad has got a tail !" Verdict for defenjdant, case dismissed, and court adjourned to whiskey up at late prisoner's expense.

Young women should set good examples, for the young men are always followaa^ them. : '